2 killed as dump truck crashes into rice field in Abra

MANILA, Philippines—Two people were killed and 12 others were injured when a dump truck crashed into a rice field in Abra last Monday afternoon, police said Tuesday.

Police Inspector Franco Toreja, Malibcong Municipal Police Station chief, said the accident occurred in Barangay (village) Duldulao in Malibcong, Abra around 4:45 p.m. involving an Isuzu dump truck (WTD 957) which was transporting 37 passengers.

Toreja said Robert Sagban was driving his truck along an elevated road back to Barangay Duldulao with passengers when he allegedly lost control of the steering wheel, causing his vehicle to fall 20 feet down to a rice field.

“Makitid kasi ang daan dito kaya mahirap talaga magmaneho (The road here is narrow making it driving difficult),” Toreja said.

The passengers were all residents of Malibcong who were being driven home after attending an oath-taking ceremony of local government officials.

One of the passengers, Ruben Gunawa, 47, died on the spot, while Danilo Gamming was declared dead on arrival at the Abra Provincial Hospital.

Twelve others were injured, but four of them have already been discharged from the hospital as of posting.

“Sagban escaped after the incident,” Toreja said.

Sagban is facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, and multiple physical injuries.